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Congratulations to Scott, he tried to save the city grief owing $100 of millions, that we the citizens will end up paying for. I know the guff you can get if you fight something the elite of Lincoln Want. He tried, but as per my fight the University and 2015 group won out.

What Scott Wendt and Roger Yant remind me of is about 110 years ago the candlemaking industry was strong and influential and as electricity began being developed the candlemaker unions extolled doomsday warnings about the dangers, costs, and uncertainties with electricity and hired lobbyists to halt progress through policy and campaigned to persuade public opinion. In the end logic, science, and progress won out. That is what happened with the arena vote.

NO, he is like William Allen White of the Emporia Gazette who warned us of the dangers of mean spirited corporations and greed in 1910. No one listened to him either and look what the 20th century developed into.

I think the award should be split between Chris Beutler, Dick Campbell, and Jennifer Brinkman. Dan Marvin and Doug Emery should be notable figures as well, Dan for his meticulous attention to detail and Doug Emery for refusing to be shouted down by his own constituents at townhalls, neighborhood association meetings, and the LJS blog. If you want to nominate an arena opposer it should be Kendra Hahn, she was the only one who didn’t make outrageous, unfounded claims publicly and carried on professionally.

Jane, the arena won by 12 points. It was the first major bond issue not related to education that won in Lincoln in 40 years. Newsflash – you WEREN’T SUCCESSFUL.

Scott Wendt sells the classic books to our kids. The Arena people want them sitting watching others play and perform and then overeating and drinking to pick up the tab. I want to vote for Scott again.

The only significant no2arena member was Deena Winter. They were nothing but 8 people meeting weekly until Deena starting announcing their meeting times in the paper, making all their ridiculous “press releases” the front of the Local section of LJS, and painting them into some sort of noble crusaders against an evil system. Even today she describes them as the “group that valiantly fought the arena”.

Don – It wasn’t enough that the Yes side had all the big hitters, all the PR professionals, all the city officials and all the money, huh? You had to have the press cheerleading, too? You’d prefer that the press ignore oppponents, treat them like they’re irrelevant because they aren’t as well-connected or polished? If you don’t pay attention to their press, you don’t pay attention to the Yes side’s either — but I guess that’s what you’d call good journalism.
You won, and you’re still bitter. I don’t get that.

I think the bitter ones are the people still bitching about it months after the election. I’m sure many of these poor souls are still convinced that Al Gore won the election in 2000, and it was “given” to George W. Bush by the Supreme Court. Don’t let the fact that countless newspapers and media organizations got their hands on the votes after the fact due to FOIA or some other method, and no matter how the votes were counted, the end result was ALWAYS the same: Bust got more votes in Florida.

Guess what? The votes were counted in Lincoln, and the arena passed, and it wasn’t even close. Try to take your energy and re-channel it into something positive for Lincoln if the future of our city is what you really care about. If you don’t really care about those things, then you simply want to bitch and moan, and I truly feel sorry for you.

Not bitter, just tired of the No2Arena people being painted as martyrs months after the fact. They could spend their time and energy trying to find a middle ground now that the vote has been passed for some time, but instead they insist in muttering about in the dank and dusty corners, gnashing their teeth and wailing “What If” while waving signs saying ‘the end is NIGH’. My children, from age 2 to age 10, know how to use the cable box, Netflix, the laptops, our ipod touches, and have their own shared email address. They also all read well above their elementary grade level except for the 2 year old. They will grow into a world realizing the benefits of both books and 21st century technology and I encourage and promote that. It’s unfortunate that my 10 year old can grasp concepts about using a computer that some of my elected official clients still can’t get hold of, even after years of working with them.

I voted for the arena, my wife voted for the arena. My neighbors didn’t-they also roll up their front sidewalk at 7pm. Like it or not we (the under 35 set) are here, we pay taxe l, and will drag you kicking and screaming into the idea that Lincoln is not a country hamlet anymore. If you want that move to Wilbur or Hickman.

Don, why don’t you run. At least I gave it a try. There are way to many people out there afraid to try because of comments like yours, but I really don’t care, as I said, I have tried, what have you done for the city? There are so many who talk the talk but sure don’t see them trying to make a difference. As the old saying goes, talk is cheep.

By Deena Winter

Deena Winter covered city government in Lincoln, Neb., for six years for the Lincoln Journal Star before leaving and launching this blog. She covered everything from zoning boards to school boards to presidential contenders during her 20-year career as a journalist -- for everyone from the Northwood Gleaner to the Denver Post.
Now, she writes for fun.